Selecting Your Mover

Selecting the right mover for you is the first important decision you will make to make your move successful.

Stevens Moving & Storage-Greater Detroit offers these suggestions:

• Compare More than One Mover
• We suggest you request estimates from more than one moving company
  • Compare rates and exclusive services offered by each mover
  • Review your estimates verifying all charges are included, ensuring that there are no hidden costs
  • Ask questions: if there is anything you do not understand, be sure to ask.
• Select a licensed moving company
• We encourage you to select a licensed moving company with trained employees.
• Find out if the mover, or its partner van line, is a member of the American Moving & Storage Association, a trade association representing the interest of the domestic and international moving and storage industry.
• Determine the Costs of Moving Yourself – if this is an option for you
• If you are exploring the option of moving yourself, research the costs involved and compare them with professional moving estimates.
• Before starting your research, know how much and far you are moving. Consider the following costs that likely will be factors when moving yourself:
  • Truck rentals
  • Packing materials
  • Rentals of dollies, pad coverings, etc.
  • Additional insurance
  • Gas prices
  • Time involved

Moving Calendar

If you have several weeks before your move, you will want to consider preparing for your move in stages. Stevens-Greater Detroit suggests the following move calendar, if time allows.

If you do not have this amount of lead time, you will want to compress the calendar, but be sure to include all of the items in your revised schedule.

12-9 Weeks Before

• If your employer is paying for all or part of your move, verify what your company covers
• Establish tentative dates for your move
• Arrange to sell your home – if you do not have a Realtor, consider using a realtor partner through the Stevens’ PLUS program, in which you can receive cash back on your move. Click here for details.
• Contact Stevens to help plan your move
• Arrange to buy a new home in your new community or to get an apartment guide if you are renting. If you are planning to purchase a home and you do not have a Realtor in your destination city, consider using a Realtor partner through the Stevens’ PLUS program, in which you can receive cash back on your move. Click here for details.
• Check out schools and determine the process for getting children registered in school

8-7 Weeks Before

• Begin sorting out those items you do not plan to move. Make plans for selling them or donating them to charity
• Contact the IRS or your accountant for forms and information regarding tax-deductible moving expenses

6 Weeks Before

• Finalize your living arrangements, homeowners/renters insurance and finances regarding your new residence
• Assess job opportunities for your spouse or children
• Establish new bank accounts if your current bank doesn’t have a branch in your new area
• Sketch out a floor plan of your new home and get room measurements
• Contact the utility company that services your new residence to transfer service into your name – or utilize Stevens Concierge Services

5 Weeks Before

• Finalize pickup and delivery dates with Stevens If you need storage, make arrangements with Stevens now
• Read our Packing Tips if you plan to pack yourself
• Continue sorting belongings that you will dispose of, items you are taking with you and everything else that goes with the mover
• If you have high value or unusual items that you expect to ship, obtain an appraisal and gather receipts

4 Weeks Before

• Visit www.usps.com to notify the postal service of your new address and send change-of-address cards to friends, relatives and periodicals
• Arrange for utilities, repairs and installations in your new home – or utilize Stevens Concierge Services. Obtain forms for transferring driver’s license(s) and applying for credit
• Contact your doctor and dentist offices for referrals to a new physician and dentist and to obtain dental and medical records to take with you

3 Weeks Before

• If you are doing your own packing, start now
• Make any travel arrangements, including interim hotel reservations and car rental

2 Weeks Before

• Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors
• Relax! Take the family for a farewell drive to some of the places you’ve loved. Have a “going away” party for the kids and their friends.
• Take care of bills, stocks and investments
• Take pet(s) to veterinarian for immunization and get a copy of their records for your new veterinarian
• Transfer bank accounts
• Drain oil and gasoline from power equipment
• Have your car serviced before the trip

1 Week Before

• Transfer prescriptions
• Arrange for delivery services to be discontinued, newspapers, etc.
• Start gathering those items to take with you on your trip
• Pack luggage
• Defrost and dry refrigerator and freezer to be moved
• Obtain cash or travelers checks for trip expenses

What to Take Along

Stevens offers some suggestions of what you may need to take with you. These items may differ depending on the length of you trip, how you are traveling and whether you have small children and pets.

• Suitcases
• Moving paperwork
• Credit cards, cash
• House and car keys
• Irreplaceable items, valuables
• Kids’ toys
• Pre-moistened towels
• Drinking water & beverages
• Snacks
• Pet food and dishes
• Blankets and pillows
• First aid kit
• Road maps
• Photo identification
• Car registration, proof of insurance